It couldn't come at a better time. Nationally, December unemployment numbers for veterans were well above the general population. In fact, the Department of Veterans Affairs said more than 20 percent of the men and women ages 18 to 24 who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are still without a job.

"They have the skills," Nick Vuillemont with the Sandoval County Chamber of Commerce said. "They don't know how to go about finding a job that didn't require a rifle or a pistol."

A national organization called Hiring our Heroes is is trying to change that. Its mission is to find veterans a career. Today, more than 40 employers who have open positions will be on hand at the Santa Ana Star Center Rio Rancho looking to hire veterans and their spouses. It runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

An Iranian military observation aircraft flew within 50 yards of an armed U.S. Navy helicopter over the Persian Gulf this month, sparking concern that top Iranian commanders might not be in full control of local forces, CNN has learned.